A/N: Okay, I'm just happy to say that I'm updating in the same month as my last post. I'm thankfully on winter vacation, even though I have to study for finals, memorize two piano pieces, and read a 240-page book for English. But I'm making time for updates; it's one of my outlets from the crazy out-of-school life.

The Audition

When Lizzie met up with Gordo at the Digital Bean, she saw a large strawberry-banana smoothie waiting for her.

"Oh, just what I need," Lizzie said, collapsing in the chair next to Gordo and reaching for the smoothie.

"Hey, who said that was for you?" Gordo ask, a smiling playing at his lips.

"Please, I don't need this right now," Lizzie said. "If I have to suffer through a whole semester of putting up stupid flyers and avoiding anyone who knows me, then a smoothie would be the perfect resolution."

"That bad, huh?"

"Well, let's just say it's not going to be one of my favorite memories of my freshmen year of high school."

Gordo smiled. "How about this?"

He slowly leaned over as Lizzie pulled away from her smoothie and gave her a peck on the lips.

Lizzie smiled. "Thanks, I needed that."

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time," Gordo said. "That PDA thing Ms. Ungermyer likes to enforce really creeps me out."

"Public display of affection," Lizzie grinned. "Same old Gordo."

"But you know, I think she said kissing on the cheeks was okay," Gordo said.

"I'm sure I can get by during school hours with that," Lizzie laughed.

Lizzie's thoughts of Ms. Ungermyer, hall monitor duty, and especially Parker melted away as she spent the rest of the afternoon with Gordo.

>>>>

It had been nearly a week of hall monitor duties, and this Thursday Lizzie was finally finding an outlet besides Gordo—the school musical auditions. She had missed the info meeting for hall monitor duties, but luckily Miss Pierce had understood, and given her the information before drama class.

As soon as Lizzie had turned in her bright yellow and orange sash to Ms. Ungermyer, she had dashed back to her locker, grabbed her audition skirt and blouse, and ran to the nearest bathroom to change. It was an aspect of auditioning to dress up nicely.

Lizzie pulled a few fingers through her hair as she met up with the crowd of other auditioners at the entrance of the theatre door.

"Lizzie McGuire," she said to the senior who sat at a table at the entrance.

"Number 37," she said, handing her a sticker with the number on it. "Break a leg."

Lizzie smiled weakly as she stuck the number on her blouse. She felt almost as scared as when she had performed with Paolo and Isabella at the music awards in Italy.

Lizzie took a deep breath as she sat in the house with the other hopefuls, many of whom were upperclassman.

How am I supposed to beat out all of these other kids that have way more experience than me? She thought to herself.

"Lizzie? Lizzie McGuire?"

Lizzie turned her head as she heard her name called amongst the buzz of people throughout the theatre.

She saw a senior waving his hands at her from a few rows above her.

"Hey, you're that girl that sang in Italy! That was all over the news. Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's you!"

He started laughing with his friends and wooing at her.

All Lizzie could do was smile awkwardly—she didn't even know who this senior was that was talking to her, only that he was a senior.

Lizzie heart sped up as Miss Pierce welcomed everybody and explained how the audition process would begin. She wished Gordo could be here to watch her, but these were private auditions.

Lizzie tried not to let herself become intimidated by the upperclassmen that auditioned first. Although their voices were deeper and stronger, she continued to go over the scene of her singing in Italy in her head.

Don't stutter, don't stutter, she told herself as the hopefuls onstage performed their audition scene.

Soon, after most of the upperclassmen had gone, and a few freshmen and sophomores, Lizzie heard her number called.

"Numbers 36, 37, 38, and 39 next," Miss Pierce said, reading off of her clipboard at the table in front of the stage.

Lizzie slowly stood up, hearing the murmur of whispers all around her, mostly from students older than her, people that hadn't been on the trip to Rome, and hadn't heard about it as fast as the freshmen.

Lizzie nearly felt herself start to stumble down the steps, but slowly contained herself and was sure to hold her chin up as she made her way down to the stage.

She and the other two students stood further upstage as number 36, a junior girl will a high soprano voice, sang the audition song, I've Never Been in Love Before.

Lizzie nearly felt her heart stop beating when the girl finished her song and stepped aside for Lizzie as the judges recorded her scores.

"Number 37," Miss Pierce said, smiling at Lizzie.

Lizzie took in one last deep breath as the accompanist started up the song again. Lizzie imagined the crowd sitting before her as the audience at the IMVA's. She imagined Isabella holding out her hand as they sang to the people standing before them. Then, Lizzie opened her mouth and began to sing:

"I've never been in love before
Now all at once it's you
It's you forever more.

"I've never been in love before
I thought my heart was safe
I thought I knew the score
But this is wine that's all too strange and strong
I'm full of foolish song
And out my song must pour
So please forgive this helpless haze I'm in
I've really never been
In love before."

For the first time, Lizzie found herself standing in front of the students in the theatre. Miss Pierce was beaming, and many of the students behind her had opened their mouths in awe.

"Thank you," Miss Pierce said, scribbling on her score sheet. "Number 38, please."

Lizzie slowly stepped back with the junior girl, who was smiling at her, and number 39, a sophomore boy who still stood awkwardly in anticipation.

Next, Lizzie and the three others onstage with her acted out one of the scenes from "Guys and Dolls," the junior girl playing Adelaide, the sophomore boy Nathan Detroit, Lizzie as Laverne, and the fourth girl sitting out.

Lizzie tried to maintain her composure as "Nathan" and "Adelaide" had their small argument, and when her lines came, she belted them out with as much expression as she could work up.

When their scenes were over, Lizzie let out a sigh of relief and slowly made her way back up to her seat. People were smiling at her as she sat down, whispering "Good job" and "That was great."

Lizzie tried not to think about her audition as the remaining people continued their scenes and songs. She struggled not to fidget with her skirt as she watched the many other freshmen and sophomores still trying out.

After what seemed like hours, Miss Pierce finally stepped up to center stage as the last auditioners took their seats. "Thank you, everybody. The final casting list will be posted on Monday after callbacks tomorrow. If you receive a callback please be back in the theatre at 4:15 tomorrow."

Lizzie felt relieved as she left the theatre and found Gordo standing near the water fountain, waiting for her.

"So, how'd it go?"

Lizzie smiled. "I don't think I was as bad as I could have been."

"Good job, Lizzie!" one of the girls walking out of the theatre called to her.

"Not as bad as you could have been, huh?" Gordo smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

Lizzie smiled, the most relaxing smile she had today. "I have so much homework, though, and it's after 6:00."

"Don't worry about it, we can do it together," Gordo told her.

"Thanks. Where's Miranda?"

"Oh, last time I saw her she was at the show choir meeting. I think auditions are coming up."

"Yeah, they are, I put up flyers for them the other day," Lizzie said, rubbing the back of her neck tiredly.

"I think you should talk to Ms. Ungermyer," Gordo told her, "you know, compromise. Maybe you can cut your work load down to three days a week."

"Come on, Gordo, it's Ms. Ungermyer," Lizzie said. "She never caves."

Gordo shrugged. "It's worth a try."

"Hey, Lizzie!"

Lizzie turned around, looking for the source of the voice calling her. "Oh no, not another senior."

"Huh?" Gordo asked, confused.

"Lizzie!" Lizzie suddenly saw Jeremy running up to her from inside the theatre. "You were really great!"

"Oh, thanks, Jeremy," Lizzie smiled. "I didn't know you auditioned."

"Oh, I didn't," Jeremy said. "I'm the sound manager."

"Oh, cool," Lizzie said, turning her head to look at Gordo, who still looked confused. "Oh! This is my boyfriend, Gordo."

"Hey, nice to meet you," Jeremy smiled, shaking Gordo's hand. "Well, I gotta go talk to Miss Pierce about some CD's she wanted me to burn for her. I'll see you guys later."

"Bye," Lizzie said, as Gordo grabbed her hand and began pulling her away.

"Who was that guy?" Gordo asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Oh, just Jeremy," Lizzie said, and leaning in, she added, "Don't tell anyone, but I think Miranda's in love with him."

Gordo let out a soft laugh. "Yeah, I would say that's Miranda type. Tall and handsome. Gosh, I can't believe I just said that." He shook his head.

"High school does weird things to you," Lizzie smiled, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "I do hope he and Miranda get to know each other. Don't you think after having been out of the country for three months, she'd feel kind of awkward to come back knowing that we're all of a sudden a couple?"

"Yeah," Gordo replied. "I've thought about it."

"And I think Jeremy's perfect for her," she said. "I mean, he's friendly, definitely not lazy, and he seems like a guy you can just talk to about anything."

"Yeah," Gordo said under his breath.

"Are you okay?" Lizzie asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine," Gordo said. "Hey, let's get going. Your mom's probably going to be waiting for us outside."

"Okay," Lizzie said, wrapping her arms around him to hug him. "I need to get my stuff out of my locker first, though. I'll see you in a bit!"

Gordo smiled sadly as he watched her hustle down the hallway and disappear out of sight. He didn't want to lose her, and neither Parker nor Jeremy was getting in the way.

A/N: Well, I hope this chapter is keeping the story running smoothly. I'll hopefully have at least one more chapter out before school starts up again. Thanks!